Liberty

The contest for ages has been to rescue liberty from the grasp of executive power. Daniel Webster

American statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852) earned fame for his staunch support of the federal government and his skills as an orator. Originally a lawyer, Webster was elected a New Hampshire congressman in 1813. He later served as a Massachusetts congressman and senator, becoming a leading proponent of federal action to stimulate the economy through protective tariffs, transportation improvements and a national bank. As U.S. secretary of state, he helped ease border tensions with Britain through negotiations of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842. Despite his standing as a Whig leader, Webster was never able to secure his party’s nomination for the U.S. presidency.